Oh no! A Hole! How To Patch a Canvas // How to repair a tear in stretched canvas

Have you ever ruined a brand new canvas by dropping something on it or puncturing it? Maybe you got a good deal on a damaged stretched canvas and you want to know how to make it useable. In this video, I will show you how to repair a hole or rip in a stretched canvas so you can have a flawless surface to paint on.

Supplies: *Affiliate links used
One damaged stretched canvas (duh)
Wax paper, parchment or another non stick surface
A weight like a book or heavy flat object

Directions:
1. Cut a circle of unprimed canvas fabric larger than the hold you want to patch. I go about 1" larger on all sides and round the corners.
2. Working from the back of the canvas brush glue on the damaged canvas as well as on the patch and press the patch glue side down over the hole. Brush over the patch to make sure you have good contact and the edges are glued down well. Let dry. *Make sure your work surface is protected with plastic or waxed paper to prevent sticking.
3. Flip over the canvas and paint gesso over the hole. You can use a palette knife to scrape the thick gesso over the hole and level the surface. Feel free to do several layers and sand if needed.
4. I recommend giving the entire canvas a fresh coat of gesso to make sure the surface is consistent.

Happy painting!

Credits:
Video production and Craft ideas: Lindsay Weirich
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Social media links:

*This post may contain affiliate links
#thefrugalcrafter #watercolor #art

[jimflack]

That's a great tip. Fortunately. I haven't had to patch one...yet! But now I'll know how when I do. I mostly use canvas boards instead. Thanks! See ya in the morning on Sat Chat!!😄

[mjpete]

Excellent video and superior instruction for all of your viewers! I have been amazed at how low prices are for stretched canvases! I used to do all my own, I made larger or differently shaped canvases like triangles or hexagonal shapes. I have retreated to basic rectangular shapes these days and the occasional square. Thank you for sharing all of your ideas and techniques with us. You young lady are a true gem! Please take care and have a lovely day!

[justacatwhocantype]

I do not usually paint on canvas, but I do have a couple of them here that I have gathered over the years, mostly because they were super cheap or free. One of them came from my neigbour, I don't even know who exactly, lol. The canvas was just sitting out in the hall and had a little hole in it, so I put a note on it asking whether I could have it. The next day I found it in front of my door. - Friendly unknown neighbour. Ever sind I have been wondering how to fix that thing. Thanks for letting me know. Now hopefully I will get aorund to actually doing some painting on canvas one of these days - I bought a set of acrylics, brushes, gesso, palette knifes, all with good intentions. But so far I have not touched any of this stuff, except for the gesso, which I aleady had to replace because I keep using it for pastels and color pencils. 😅

[ms.marvelous]

I tried something similar, because I didn’t have raw canvas I used a canvas ‘paper’ pad, which has removable sheets of canvas you can paint on, glued together in a flip book form. Works great !

[gmawblackwell]

omg so much better than the duct tape I tried! lol

[tthappyrock]

Good to know how to do this! Can't see where the repair was made at all! I need to repair a work my mom painted. It got a puncture when I went to frame it 😭.

[Copperstarr]

Thanks for sharing this. I have a 39x39 canvas that got a hole in it from a move. Can't wait to try this out!!

[amyx]

That’s the plan! Ive picked up some great discount canvases with holes or dents… I’m not fancy, I’ll patch and used it anyways!

Thanks for the water on back trick!

[stanky]

That is amazing, Lindsay! WOW! I would've thrown it away. You saved the day! I would love to see you stretch canvas. Very interesting. Tfs.

[kriskrumanaker]

Whatever that little glass "whatever that is" is, it's cool!

[ArtsiRosi]

Great job! I can't even tell where the canvas had the hole. Thanks!

[leannemitchem]

Very cool! I love your channel. Thank you for sharing

[harebrainzombie]

This was such a helpful video thank you for teaching me something 😅

[PoojaAnand]

Great tip Lindsay. I don't need to patch any canvas at the moment but if I am ever in need I'll know where to turn to. Thank you. 😊

[SheilaLandry]

It came out much nicer than I would have thought. Great tip, Lindsay. :) Have an awesome weekend. :)

[catherinecarlson]

I threw one away once due to a hole. Great tip!

[sydneyh]

I would love to see a video on how to stretch your own canvases. Also if you could touch on how to mount a the fredrix canvas sheet pad that is pre painted on stretch bars and on board would be awesome since I do have the canvas sheets but havent used them yet because if a painting turns out I'm not sure how I would be able to display it. Also would really love to see how to correctly frame watercolor paintings for beginners. I have a few paintings I have stuck in a portfolio because I'm not sure exactly to go about correctly framing them. Also, is it possible to frame canvas sheets that have been painted with acrylic in a frame like you would a watercolor (of course I'm assuming it would have to be a reasonable size to work.) Thanks Lindsay. I really love these type of videos I have learned so much from your videos.❤

[Tonniece]

Awesome Lindsay. I’ve actually thrown out canvases because of a hole or rip so this is invaluable. 👍🏾💯❤️. Hugz

[cherylclaviter]

Fantastic tip, I have two small ones that I was going to get rid of, but oh no not after seeing this!! I also did not know about the water on it if it is dented. Great video💕💕

[bluetkats]

Great tip! I don't do that kind of painting (on canvas; just watercolor on sc paper), but still useful info to know, especially if needed to repair a painting. Thanks!